Following the leading Python, Luke and Gandalf traversed the swamp, heading deep into the dense forest.
The Python was a chatterbox, and being ravenously hungry, it constantly tried to persuade Luke to feed Gandalf, the old man, to it while leading the way.
Although Gandalf didn't understand snake language, he vaguely guessed the reason as the Python repeatedly looked at him.
He wasn't angry about it; instead, he chuckled and asked, "Luke, what is this snake saying to you? Why do I feel like it's looking at me as if I'm a snack?"
Luke had no intention of keeping the Python's secret and directly said with a helpless expression, "This is just a stupid snake with a not-so-bright mind; it's trying to convince me to trade the Trolls' cave treasure for my permission to let it eat you."
"Oh, it seems I, an old man, am quite valuable, even worth the Trolls' treasure," Gandalf said amusingly, chuckling.
After walking for about an hour, the Python suddenly stopped, looking warily ahead, and then said to Luke, "Ahead is a Trolls' cave. Their eyes are very sharp; I dare not go any further."
Then it asked uneasily, "Don't let the Trolls eat you! You promised to let me eat you. I've been hungry for so long and now crawled such a long way; I'm almost starving to death..."
"Got it, quiet down!" Luke whispered.
He told the Python to wait quietly there for them, then Luke turned to Gandalf and said, "According to the Python, ahead is a Trolls' cave."
Gandalf didn't make the decision; instead, he asked Luke, "What do you plan to do?"
Luke was already prepared, "We'll first sneak into the cave to check the situation. If we find any surviving villagers, we'll rescue them first and then deal with the Trolls."
"Then let's do as you say." Gandalf had no objections; this rescue mission was led by Luke.
Seeing Gandalf agree to his plan, he didn't delay, pointing the tip of his wand at himself and mumbling.
An invisible magical force fell upon him, and Luke felt as if a stream of icy liquid had been poured over him from head to toe, his body covered by a layer of cold fluid membrane, and then his entire body gradually became ethereal and invisible.
To be precise, it wasn't true invisibility but rather a blending with the surrounding environment; when moving quickly, a faint curved outline could still be seen.
This was the effect of the Disillusionment Charm, which could deceive vision and achieve an effect of invisibility.
However, the effect of this Disillusionment Charm obviously could not deceive Gandalf's eyes. His gaze remained fixed on Luke's position, and he said impatiently, "Give me one to try too!"
Luke also cast the Disillusionment Charm on Gandalf.
Then the two invisible figures quietly approached the Trolls' cave.
The place where the Trolls lived was an extremely large natural cave, deep and dark but faintly glowing with a little firelight.
Luke and his companion did not stop, walking straight into the cave.
However, as soon as they entered, they were greeted by a foul stench that almost made him vomit.
All over the ground were various bone fragments, from different animals, but also clearly human.
These remnants, left after being eaten by the Trolls, were scattered everywhere, emitting a putrid and foul odor, compounded by excrement and so on—the smell was simply awful!
Forcing down the stench, Luke and Gandalf continued deeper.
Until they reached a very spacious cave hall, their eyes met a huge bonfire in the center of the cave, around which sat five Trolls.
These Trolls were enormous, standing five or six meters tall, with dark green skin covered in thick scales, like Giants.
At this moment, these Trolls were sitting around, and above the bonfire in their center, a large pot was set up, with one of the Trolls constantly stirring the soup with a huge spoon.
And next to the bonfire, there was also a pile of blood-stained clothes.
"Is it ready yet? I'm so hungry!" one of the Trolls grumbled, his stomach rumbling loudly.
The other Trolls were also full of impatience.
Luke's pupils constricted when he saw that pile of clothes, and his mood became heavy.
What was boiling in that pot was self-evident.
"First, let's look for anyone still alive nearby," Gandalf's faint voice came from beside him.
Luke nodded slightly. He slowly retreated, leaning against the cave wall, searching for signs of living people in the dimly lit cave hall.
The cave hall was a labyrinth, connecting to several other caves.
Gandalf and Luke split up, each choosing a cave to explore.
The cave was deep, and Luke walked for quite a while before reaching its end.
It was unclear if it was luck, but this cave contained various items collected by the Trolls, with many old armors and weapons piled together, seemingly from humans, Elves, Orcs, and Dwarves.
In addition, there were gold and silver coins and other valuable items like jewelry scattered all over the ground.
While delighted to see the treasure, the most important task at hand was to find people, so Luke temporarily withdrew from the treasure cave, deciding to take these treasures after dealing with the Trolls.
Switching to another cave, Luke and Gandalf met up.
"How is it? Did you find anything?" Gandalf asked quietly.
"I didn't find anyone. That cave contained the Trolls' treasure, only some gold, silver, and jewels," Luke replied, shaking his head, then asked back, "What about you? Gandalf, did you find anything in that cave?"
Gandalf's tone was difficult to describe, "I wasn't as lucky as you. The cave I chose was where the Trolls relieved themselves. Oh... what a nightmare!"
The oppressive and heavy atmosphere instantly lightened a bit, and a hint of a smile appeared on Luke's face, feeling both sympathy and amusement for Gandalf's plight.
This time, the two decided to go together, entering the remaining cave.
This time, the two finally discovered signs of living people.
At the end of the cave, a huge cage had been built.
And inside the cage, the missing villagers were imprisoned.
The villagers were emaciated, their faces filled with fear, despair, and numbness, like soulless living dead, huddled blankly in the cage.
It wasn't until they heard the movements of Luke and Gandalf that a ripple of terror appeared on their numb faces. Mistaking them for Trolls coming to eat people again, the villagers shrank back in fear, waiting in despair for their fate.
Seeing this scene, Luke and Gandalf sighed deeply in their hearts. Luke lifted the spell on both of them, revealing their figures under a faint glow.
Seeing that it was Luke and Gandalf, two humans, the villagers in the cage were in disbelief, and amidst their surprise, a glimmer of hope surged within them.
"I am Gandalf, the Grey Wizard, and this is Luke, the Black Wizard. We are here to rescue you," Gandalf said with a kind and benevolent expression, injecting strength of hope and courage into the villagers' hearts, giving the numb villagers a spark of life.